Letter to John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for COVID Recovery on the vaccination certification dated 30 September 2021
Dear John,
I refer to the Scottish Government’s proposals for a vaccination certification scheme (‘the scheme’), as set out in the First Minister’s statement to parliament on 1st September 2021 and subsequent policy papers.
As you will be aware, the COVID-19 Recovery Committee (‘the Committee’) will play a lead role in scrutinising the implementation of the scheme, which is due to commence on 1st October 2021. The Committee has therefore taken evidence from stakeholders and Scottish Ministers to understand the purpose and likely impacts of this policy. The Committee has agreed to write to the Scottish Government to highlight the following issues, which we consider should be addressed during the scheme’s implementation.
The Scottish Human Rights Commission highlighted to the Committee the importance of publishing the evidence base that informs the government’s policy decisions. The proposed policy provides that Scottish Ministers will review the ongoing necessity of the vaccination certification scheme every three weeks. The Committee therefore requests that the Scottish Government lay a paper in SPICe setting out the evidence base that has been used to inform Scottish Ministers’ decisions about the scheme’s continued necessity, as part of the three-week review process.
The Committee also took evidence from the Ada Lovelace Institute, which has investigated the implementation of vaccination certification schemes in other countries. The Ada Lovelace Institute noted the importance of being clear about the scheme’s intended purpose and desired outcomes. The Committee has considered a list of possible indicators that would assist parliament in understanding the scope and impact of the proposed scheme, which is attached in the Annexe to this letter. The Committee requests that the government measure and report on the impact of the scheme against the indicators highlighted in the Annexe at each three-week review point.
The Committee took evidence from experts in public behaviour who emphasised that it is essential to maintain the public’s trust and confidence in the Scottish Government’s response to COVID-19. The Committee therefore considers that a proactive public information and community engagement strategy should accompany the implementation of the scheme. This should enable the public to understand the purpose of the scheme and how to use it. The Committee would welcome more detail specifically on how the Scottish Government proposes to use an inclusive communication approach, including how it intends to reach those audiences which the Scottish Government consider will face additional barriers in using the scheme, or demonstrate a lower than average uptake in vaccination. The Committee requests the Scottish Government reports on public communication activities at each review point, including how it measures the impact of these activities.
The Committee also took evidence from stakeholders who will play a role in implementing the scheme, including the Scottish Football Association (on behalf of the Joint Response Group) and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association. These stakeholders highlighted the importance of giving businesses and organisations as much time as possible to prepare for new public health measures before they are introduced.
The Committee is aware that the winter period may pose significant challenges and that further public health measures may be required to alleviate pressure on the NHS and other essential services. The Committee therefore considers that it would be helpful for the Scottish Government to set out a winter plan.
The purpose of this plan should be to highlight what measures will be introduced to tackle a worsening state of the epidemic should it arise, including whether there is any scope for the vaccination certification scheme to be widened. This would enable businesses to adequately prepare and may alleviate the impact of any further measures should they be required.
It would also be helpful for the Scottish Government to set out the factors that would determine when the scheme is no longer necessary. This would provide assurance that the measures will be in place for no longer than necessary, notwithstanding any sunset provision embedded in the scheme.
The Committee would be grateful to receive your response to this letter and the information requested by 29th October 2021, so that it can be considered in time for your next committee appearance.
Yours sincerely,
Siobhian Brown MSP
Convener
COVID-19 Recovery Committee